Can only assume that Gus has been far from impressed with Poke, and that he's bought in Ankergen to compete with Brez for the number 1 slot. Very surprising though.
Does make the Poke signing look a bit superflous, but then he wasn't exactly ideal cover due to his inexperience. Ankergren looks like he'll be the senior keeper, with Brezovan now fighting to get his place back.
I'm pleased overall, because the bottom line is that we are now MUCH stronger in that position.
Albion have completed the signing of Danish goalkeeper Casper Ankergren on a two-year deal.
The 30-year-old former Leeds United stopper has signed this morning, after passing a medical, and is expected to make his debut at Swindon Town tomorrow.
Boss Gus Poyet said, "Goalkeeper is a key position in the team, and with Peter Brezovan injured, we wanted to bring some experience*to that position.
"Casper brings that experience and has played at this level, and higher. I have worked with him at Leeds United, and know exactly what he is capable of; he also knows what it takes to get promoted from League One.
Ankergren's arrival means Albion now have four senior keepers, but Poyet feels both Michael Poke and Mitch Walker had the chance to seize the number one spot during pre-season.
"I am certain that Michael Poke and Mitch Walker have great futures ahead of them, which is why we signed them both, but neither of them makes me feel 100% safe right now so as a manager you need to make bold decisions.
"At the start of pre-season we saw both as players for the future, with the option to challenge Peter every day, but after Peter's injury we gave them the opportunity over the pre-season period to prove themselves, but I am*not 100% convinced.
"However, I always felt it would take an outstanding pre-season, both in training and in matches for either to seize the position.
"Casper is here now, and I want Pokey, Mitch and Peter when he is fit to challenge him for the position."
Ankergren won promotion with Leeds United last season, having joined the club in 2007.
In his native Denmark he played for Køge BK and Brøndby IF, where he won the Danish double in 2005, he also won the Superliga in 2002 and the cup in 2003.
He has also won international honours at under-17 and under-21 level, and in 2006 was called up to the national squad, but did not win a cap.